have done no harm to humor Nellie that time, for she was a good girl."

"You speak truth, but--"

The poor father, who tried so bravely to keep up, broke down and was
unable to speak. The story touched him as much as it did the mother.

"Never mind, Katrina--"

At that moment Nick called out:

"Here's the bridge!"

The structure loomed through the gloom as it was dimly lighted by the
lanterns, and all walked rapidly forward until they stood upon the rough
planking.

Suddenly the mother uttered a cry, and stooping down snatched up
something from the ground close to the planks.

The startled friends looked affrightedly toward her, and saw that she
held the lunch basket of her little daughter in her hand.




CHAPTER VIII.

STARTLING FOOTPRINTS.